I don’t think that will be an easy decision by Russia, what’s the point of taking Ukraine without Kyiv and the people no taxes, no materials, no workforce, no cultural icons
I'm afraid you're right, but the people will have to go somewhere. And I don't claim to know the urban/rural split of Ukraine, but there are lots of people in the many wide open spaces. Leveled cities or not, Russia will not be able to occupy Ukraine if the citizens and remaining military forces intend to carry on an insurgency or resistance.
Yes, taking Ukraine cleanly would have been ideal for him. I think he tried that and is failing. I think his choices are going to be: A. Grind Ukraine to dust and absorb it, thus "Winning" in nominal terms and writing in the history books that he "drove out the western influence from our lands" or B. Retreat, cut his losses, lose face, risk end up having to resign or be ousted by a coup d'etat -- all for the long-term sake of Russia's foreign image, and living standards of Russians I think he'll go with A, which he's shown willingness to do before (Grozny). IMO, Putin is in this for the glory of Russia, to reclaim lost lands from both the Soviet Union and Tsarist Russia. All other factors are secondary.
they thought they'd conquer Ukraine in 2 weeks? idk what Shoygu was thinking. Putin mustve really thought Zelensky approval being in the 20s meant the Ukraines would be open to any new government. But lol at taking over a country the size of texas with a larger population than california in that timeframe.
It would be swell if this investigation just happened to turn up hard links to a certain wriggly individual
You gotta know 1) all billionaires are intertwined in corruption, bribery, tax evasion, and shitheelery 2) nothing will come of anyone that isn’t Russian because of #1
Would be nice if the Ukrainians would be able to do a fly over and mow down or bomb some of that 40 mile stalled convoy
There are domestic reasons the bombs had to be dropped that may outweigh any other reasons we spent an enormous amount of money and time developing the atomic bomb Truman didn’t want to sit on a weapon and then be accused of letting Americans needlessly die Also dropping two atomic bombs and seeing the horror of their destruction has and will serve a deterrent to future drops
if trump had won we would’ve abstained and blue check Twitter and the news would’ve lost their minds about it and forgotten about the war within two days
“3 billion people support Russia’s righteous war against the Nazi occupiers of Ukraine!” -Putin later today
Not to mention avoiding a land invasion of Japan that probably would have resulted in 10+ million deaths, including 1M+ Americans.
We already sent their economy into the shitter but this next level shit might bring Erdogan to his senses. For at least a few weeks.
Only among idiots. Island-hopping and Okinawa gave us a pretty good idea of relative casualty numbers.